<p>I've pretty much narrowed down my list to UCSB and CalPoly (although Davis and Santa Cruz are still lingering in the back of my mind). I think I want to go into advertising/marketing/communications, so at SB I would take communications and at CalPoly I'd take marketing. Academically, CalPoly has a really cool, hands-on marketing program, but there's not much room to try much else (ie you can't change majors very easily). At SB there's communications and sociology courses that interest me, but I don't know if there's anything really for advertising and marketing. I'm not much of a partier (another problem with SB), but I also like to go out and San Luis Opisbo doesn't seem like it has much to do. I also get a really good vibe when I'm on the SB campus and in IV and not so much with CalPoly or SLO. That's basically my pro/cons list and I've compared the schools over and over and can't figure out which is the better fit for me. Any ideas? Thanks!</p>
<p>when do you have to reply to SLO by? Maybe you could call them and talk anon. to an ad com and see what they say. </p>
<p>UCSB is definitely the party school...read all the other posts and you will see what I mean. But that doesn't mean you can find your own circle of friends...do you know of anyone who is going there from your school?</p>
<p>also, go to the parents board and read about "cold feet" and how to make a decision post. Its very good.</p>
<p>anytime you have 18,000 kids living away from home you're going to have parties. If you go to UCSB and are looking for a party every nite, you can find one. You'll also find a lot of frosh a bit stunned when they get their first quarter grades and find out they didn't sign up for 4 years at Club Med after all. </p>
<p>As far as your career goals, how about talking to a career counselor at ucsb and finding out what students there do to prepare for careers in the fields you are considering? Also get the book "Major in Success" by Combs since it discusses how college students can identify their interests and get internships and other work experience to get started on their goals. How to get started on a career with a liberal arts degree is a whole thread in itself, so I won't go into it here.</p>
<p>Bottom line, though, I'd say to what your gut is telling you; you've got a sense that UCSB is a fit and you don't get that same feeling at Cal Poly. You already know what decision is right for you.</p>
<p>cal poly by all means is not boring. san luis obispo is a tiny area with a lot of things to do. its a college town, so expect a good amount of partying going on. Once you turn 21 they have bars and clubs to hit up, and the girls look good. To me, its a nice balance of partying and just chilling. If you want to party on the weekends, its not hard at all to find a place, if you just want to chill, there are enough people just chilling on weekends to kick back with them. </p>
<p>UCSB is crazy. Isla Vista turns people out. Ive seen girls who were nice and consertive in high school spend 1 quarter there and have a handfull of hookups and experimented with all kinds of drugs. Then again there are people who know how to control themselves. </p>
<p>Both schools are good academically, and both areas are really nice. I dunno its all about what you make of it.</p>
<p>I know I'll be happy at either college, it just seems like such a Huge decision (which it is! 4 years!). Thanks for the suggestion about looking on the Parent's forum and the 'cold feet' part. Any other thoughts?</p>